Western’s men’s basketball team had been undefeated on the road prior to Saturday, Feb. 18’s game in Ellensburg.  

With a win, the Vikings would have been the only team in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference to go undefeated on the road in a season.

Things were looking good for Western as they led 39-35 going into the half.  However during the second half, the Vikings didn’t seem to get into a shooting rhythm.

 “We didn’t shoot well in the second half,” said head coach Brad Jackson. “We also couldn’t get to the line.”

Central made it to the free throw line 38 times verses the 18 times Western made it there.

Senior forward Rory Blanche had a game high 22 points, but it wouldn’t be enough as Central won 89-82. 

 “I’m not disappointed, we fought hard all the way to the end,” Jackson said. “It was just one of those nights where if we could have gotten a couple shots to fall at the end we would have won."

With the loss the Vikings still remain in first place in the GNAC 14-2 and 23-4 overall. 

Western now needs one win in their final two games to secure first place and earn the number one seed for the GNAC tournament following regular season play.

The final two games of the season are both at home.  On Thursday, Feb. 23 the team will play Seattle Pacific University at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Feb. 25 Western will face Montana State University Billings at 7 p.m. in Sam Carver Gymnasium.